Fallout for fracas
Major League Baseball came down hard on the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, handing out eight suspensions and a dozen fines as punishment for a bench-clearing brawl.
Yet even with Arizona pitcher Ian Kennedy getting 10 games and infielder Eric Hinske five for their roles in Tuesday’s fight, it might not be enough to quell the lingering hostility between the N.L. West rivals.
“No, it’s not over yet, not at all,” Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario said. “I don’t think anybody thinks it’s over.”
Belisario was to serve a one-game suspension on Friday night for “aggressive actions” while Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell and infielder Skip Schumaker appealed the two-game suspensions they received from MLB Senior Vice President Joe Garagiola Jr.
Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly and Arizona’s Kirk Gibson were given one-game bans, while Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire must sit two games. Bench coach Trey Hillman filled in for Mattingly on Friday night when Los Angeles played at Pittsburgh.
Garagiola cited Kennedy for intentionally throwing a pitch at the head of Zack Greinke after a warning had been issued and Hinske for leaving the dugout and “aggressive actions.”
Mattingly was penalized for his conduct and Gibson for Kennedy’s actions following a warning.
All eight handed suspensions were also fined, as were Greinke, Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, Arizona catcher Miguel Montero and Diamondbacks outfielder Gerardo Parra.
MLB fined the Dodgers for allowing players on the disabled list to leave the dugout and enter the field during the brawl. MLB also banned disabled-list players on the Dodgers and Diamondbacks from sitting in their dugouts through Sunday.
If players appeal, their penalties are held off until after hearings and decisions.
Clearing the bases
Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will be out between four and six weeks with a broken rib. He was injured diving for a ball in the eighth inning of a loss Thursday to Washington. … The Yankees placed third baseman Kevin Youkilis on the 15-day D.L. because of a back injury. … Oakland purchased the contract of pitcher Dan Otero from Triple-A Sacramento and optioned left-hander Hideki Okajima to the minors. … Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes played in a simulated game in Dunedin, Fla., and may start a rehab assignment next week.